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So what now for England. The short-term World Cup legacy is bleak but grassroots reform is the way to a brighter future, says Ben Dirs.

Read his article here.

More of your thoughts.

Chris Lawton: Sad to see Lancaster go as Eng head coach. Hope senior men in RFU will have guts to do the same for their part in RWC shambles.

Paul Smith: Sad day for Stuart Lancaster, but the World Cup and the Burgess bungle meant this was always on the cards, Ian Ritchie should also go.

Matt: With Lancaster gone, might the door open for Burgess to assume control.

Hmm, possibly not Matt.

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More from Stuart Lancaster: “I would like to thank the players, coaches, management and everyone at the RFU for their commitment, support and hard work in my time as head coach. 

"But most of all, I would like to thank the England rugby fans, who have always backed us and given us amazing support. The team feels a close connection with everyone across the grassroots game, which has been important to us all.”

Very quickly to the cricket, where things are finally going a bit better...

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Ian Ritchie, RFU CEO, speaking about Stuart Lancaster's departure from the England job in the governing body's statement: ''The Rugby World Cup was hugely disappointing for everyone associated with the England team and the subsequent review into the team’s performance was always intended to be extremely comprehensive, which it has been. 

“On behalf of all fans of the England team and the RFU I would like to express our gratitude to Stuart for all he has done for England Rugby since taking the role in 2012. Despite the results during this World Cup he has much to be proud of, and has embedded a new group of players that will be representing England for a long time to come. Looking forward, we will leave no stone unturned to ensure England achieves sustained success in the future.”

Some of your early thoughts. Keep them coming.

Adam Young: Some good moments, but poor selection and a lack of success in the major tournaments ultimately told for Lancaster.

Joseph Whiteaker: Stuart Lancaster leaving is two years too late. Now we need to act and Get Shaun Edwards in to the coaching staff asap.

Niall Davey: Please get Eddie Jones in! Worked wonders for Japan just imagine what he could do with the resources available with ENGLAND.

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Lancaster’s tenure was fatally wounded by the group-stage exit at a home World Cup.

What were the six main reasons for that abject performance?

You'll find out in this article.

From the BBC's chief sports writer Tom Fordyce.

So then, there's the big news of the day.

But we want to know this: have England done the right thing in parting company with Stuart Lancaster?

Let us know your views now. Do you have sympathy for the departed coach or did he have it coming after England's disastrous World Cup?

Let us know now at #bbcsportsday

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More from Stuart Lancaster: “I took on the role in difficult circumstances and it has been a huge challenge to transition the team with many hurdles along the way. However, I am immensely proud of the development of this team and I know that there is an incredibly strong foundation for them to progress to great things in the future. 

"We have played some excellent rugby and it was always going to be tough to get the right level of experience into them in time for 2015. 

"It is a young group of players with the huge majority available for the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019, where I believe their recent experience will make them genuine contenders.”

How Stuart Lancaster compares in terms of wins to other recent England coaches.

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Now former England head coach Stuart Lancaster, quoted in an RFU statement: “I am obviously extremely saddened to finish the way we did in this World Cup and to step down from the role. 

"As I have always said, I ultimately accept and take responsibility for the team's performance and we have not delivered the results we all hoped for during this tournament. I did, however, want to take part in the review to ensure I understood the views of others before making a decision. 

"The reality is that, while many aspects of the review were very positive, we didn’t achieve success on the field when it mattered and we all have to take responsibility for that but me especially as head coach.”

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England became the first host nation to be eliminated in the group stages when they lost matches to Wales and Australia in Pool A.

It was the first time an England side had failed to reach the knockout stages in their eight World Cup campaigns.

Lancaster, 46, was made permanent coach in 2012 and won 28 of his 46 games, but failed to win the Six Nations.

The Rugby Football Union have confirmed that Stuart Lancaster has, by mutual consent, stepped down as England head coach.

Juliette Ferrington
BBC Sport

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Ireland manager Martin O'Neill and striker Robbie Keane are facing the media shortly ahead of Friday's game.

And we'll bring you the best of it soon...

Juliette Ferrington
BBC Sport

With just over 48 hours to go before their first leg Euro 2016 qualifying play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, it's as you were on the training ground at FAI HQ in Abbotstown. 

Still no Shane Long, Rob Elliot, John O'Shea - who's suspended for the game in Zenica - Paul McShane and Alan Judge. Assistant manager Roy Keane said yesterday that it would be a 'fantastic bonus' if the players became available over the next day or two, but refused to rule anybody out with the second leg of the tie taking place in Dublin on Monday.

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There's a good article well worth reading in today's Daily Telegraph., external

It has an interview with Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, who says his club - generally regarded as the best team in the world - would not win the Premier League.

"I think that if Barcelona or Real Madrid goes to the Premier League then the first year of playing there, there is no chance of winning it," said Pique.

"If you go to Stoke, or other types of teams, then it will be really tough."

So Barcelona are fearful of Stoke. You may never read that statement again. Ever.

Following on from our request for sporting animal tales, we've had this Tweet...

Ftbllrs with Animals, external: An owl invaded a Euro 2008 qualifier between Belgium and Finland. Wing play was great...

Image source, Ftbllrs with animals

It isn't only Jose Mourinho under pressure at Chelsea, according to today's Sun., external

The club's technical director Michael Emenalo is also coming under scrutiny because of Chelsea's poor record in the transfer market.

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The paper points out that Mo Salah, Juan Cuadrado and Filipe Luis are all big-money buys that have flopped.

Martin O'Neill has hinted he is ready to extend his reign as Republic of Ireland manager.

The 63-year-old will send his team into Euro 2016 play-off battle with Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday with the two-year deal he signed in November 2013 drawing to a close.

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O'Neill told the Times: "I'm quite happy at this moment in time. It ends when the campaign ends.

"There are friendly games in March, I think, so it will be time to discuss things before those.

"If the FAI are happy with the progress, I think it is something they want. If the games against Bosnia don't go well, they might change their mind, but they have been very supportive."